Notable Contributor
Lillian Mitchell
Mitchell shines in wide range of college roles
Dr. Lillian Mitchell has experienced Garrett College from a myriad of perspectives – all reinforcing her love of the institution she called home for more than 30 years.
"It was just the most wonderful experience of my life," said Dr. Mitchell, who served the College as a faculty member, administrator and then member of the Board of Trustees during a career that spanned 32 years.
"It was very interesting going from a faculty member to a dean and then becoming a board member," said Dr. Mitchell. "I think I could lend a perspective on the Board that lay members of the board couldn't."
Dr. Mitchell, originally from Baltimore, said family responsibilities initially brought her to Garrett County.
"As a child, I always spent my summers on my aunt's farm in Garrett County," said Dr. Mitchell. "Later, as I was working on my dissertation, my aunt was not well and we decided we'd come up and buy the farm."
Dr. Mitchell spent the 1971-72 school year as a guidance counselor at Southern Garrett High before being hired by GC in 1972 as an associate professor of psychology and education. She noted the beginning of her collegiate career coincided with the "open space" educational movement.
"It was all open space," Dr. Mitchell recalled. "Teaching in an open space environment was quite a challenge. The classrooms were separated by chalk boards – and when people came down the corridor all you could see were legs and feet walking past. It was kind of a running joke among the teachers that we'd try to guess who the people were going by based on the feet and how they walked."
Dr. Mitchell said teaching in that environment became something of a professorial challenge.
"Of course, with 4-to-6 classes in the open space, whoever talked the loudest would prevail," she said with a laugh, noting her gratitude when new President Alfred O'Connell found the funds to enclose the classrooms.
Dr. Mitchell said she moved into administration during a period of much transition, being appointed acting dean of academic affairs by Acting President Randall Harman in 1985. She was made permanent dean shortly thereafter, quickly establishing herself as an outstanding administrator, according to numerous GC faculty members.
"I've heard others refer to Lil as the gold standard among Garrett College deans, and I think maybe she was," said Professor of English Greg Jenkins. "She worked well with faculty, students, other administrators and everyone else.
"People respected her for her intellect and knowledge, but they also liked her as a human being," added Professor Jenkins.
"I don't think you could find a single faculty member who didn't love working for Lil," said Professor of Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology Kevin Dodge, adding Dr. Mitchell was an ideal administrator as he began navigating a career in teaching.
"She was the very best boss I could have asked for during my first 20 or so years at Garrett – even though I was the biggest threat she faced during her career in terms of turning her red hair gray," he added.
Professor Dodge said Dr. Mitchell had a knack for knowing what individual faculty members needed to thrive, using his own experience as an example.
"Lil gave me – an energetic young professor who wasn't very good at following the rules, managing time or honoring due dates – the time and just loose enough reins to figure things out," said Professor Dodge.
"Those of us who worked under her guidance saw her not so much as a supervisor – though she was – but as a mother-figure whom we wanted to please," said Professor Jenkins. "The homemade pastries she brought to faculty meetings were delightful and fit in perfectly with her warm and generous personality."
Professor of Psychology Terry Kasecamp said Mitchell's love of teaching and learning was evident throughout her administrative tenure.
"What is unique about Dr. Mitchell is that she continued to teach throughout her tenure as the dean of academic affairs," noted Professor Kasecamp, "which made her acutely aware of the importance of supporting academic freedom while simultaneously maintaining academic integrity."
Professor Kasecamp said Dr. Mitchell "facilitated a spirit of cooperation and teamwork among faculty and staff" which "was instrumental in the thriving expansion of Garrett College's programs during her tenure as dean of academic affairs."
Dr. Mitchell added student affairs to her administrative portfolio in 2000.
"My love was student affairs – I loved the interaction with the students," recalled Dr. Mitchell, who spent nine years teaching first grade before moving to Garrett County. "And I loved the opportunity to get to work with a new group of people. It worked very well."
Professor Kasecamp said Dr. Mitchell's respect for others was another reason for the College's academic success during her tenure as dean.
"Her willingness to listen and openness to new ideas made everyone at the College feel respected," said Professor Kasecamp, noting it was clear she valued everyone's "individual contributions to the academic success of our students."
Dr. Mitchell's GC administrative career closely paralleled that of another transformative figure, 20-year President Steve Herman.
"He was wonderful and kind – aside from the fact that he'd get his red pen out and suggest edits to whatever document you gave him," Dr. Mitchell recalled with a laugh. "What Steve actually did with all of his editorializing is make us all better writers."
Dr. Mitchell noted that her career spanned a sufficient time frame that "two of my former students became my bosses" when Doug Sites and Rob Michael became members of the Board of Trustees. She had the unique experience of transitioning from retired administrator to a Board member herself when she was appointed to fill an unexpired Board term.
"People don't realize all the responsibility that comes with being a Board member," noted Dr. Mitchell, who won the Board Award for Outstanding Contributions to Garrett College in 2004. "You end up having to take the good with the bad – and the heat from people who may not completely understand the situation."
Dr. Mitchell noted she "sometimes can't believe I've been retired 17 years." Professor Dodge said the years have done nothing to lessen her legacy.
"Lil was, and continues to be, a treasure," said Professor Dodge, "and one of the most influential and beloved people in the academic history of Garrett College."
Professor Jenkins agreed.
"I doubt," said Jenkins, "that anyone has ever represented Garrett College better than she did."
